The Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG), initiated in
1971, began as a survey of intergenerational relations among 300
three-generation California families: grandparents (then in their
sixties), middle-aged parents (then in their early forties), and
grandchildren (then aged 15 to 26). The study broadened in 1991 and now
includes a fourth generation, the great-grandchildren of these same
families. The LSOG, with a fully elaborated generation-sequential
design, allows comparisons of sets of a... (more info)

The Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSOG), initiated in
1971, began as a survey of intergenerational relations among 300
three-generation California families: grandparents (then in their
sixties), middle-aged parents (then in their early forties), and
grandchildren (then aged 15 to 26). The study broadened in 1991 and now
includes a fourth generation, the great-grandchildren of these same
families. The LSOG, with a fully elaborated generation-sequential
design, allows comparisons of sets of aging parents and children at the
same stage of life but during different historical periods. These
comparisons make possible the investigation of the effects of social
change on inter-generational solidarity or conflict across 35 years and
four generations, as well as effects of social change on the ability of
families to buffer stressful life transitions (aging, divorce and
remarriage, higher female labor force participation, changes in work and
the economy, and possible weakening of family norms of obligation), and
the effects of social change on the transmission of values, resources,
and behaviors across generations. The study also examines how
intergenerational relationships influence individuals' well-being as
they transition across the life course from early, to middle, to late
adulthood. The LSOG contains information on family structure, household
composition, affectual solidarity and conflict, values, attitudes,
behaviors, role importance, marital relationships, health and fitness,
mental health and well-being, caregiving, leisure activities, and life
events and concerns. Demographic variables include age, sex, income,
employment status, marital status, socioeconomic history, education,
religion, ethnicity, and military service.